Attempted murder suspect arrested in Fallbrook

FALLBROOK  Authorities have captured a documented Fallbrook gang member suspected of shooting a man who was found along a rural road four weeks ago.

On Thursday, Sergio Ramirez, 19, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder in what authorities called an attempted execution-style shooting, said Lt. Todd Richardson, who heads up the sheriff’s Fallbrook substation.

Authorities found Ramirez at a friend’s home.

His arrest came during a sweep in which deputies visited the homes of a number of Fallbrook gang members on probation and parole, to check on whether they were complying with the terms of their release.

Such checks are routine, but Richardson said deputies decided to focus Thursday’s efforts on Fallbrook in the hopes of finding Ramirez.

“We thought there was a high likelihood that he was at one of those locations,” Richardson said.

Deputies have been searching for Ramirez since the Jan. 4 shooting, reported shortly before 1 p.m.

The victim, who had been shot three times, was found outside of a vehicle on De Luz Road in Fallbrook near Harris Trail and Camp Pendleton. No motive has been released, but Richardson said deputies suspect it was gang-related.

Richardson said the victim is expected to recover.

Aside from finding Ramirez, law enforcement officers arrested five other people during Thursday’s sweep, including one juvenile.

Richardson said the arrests were for crimes including suspected drug possession.

During the sweep, authorities seized heroin, about half an ounce of methamphetamine, more than a pound of marijuana and more than 30 hydrocodone pills.